Babyproof your home (1129)

As a parent, it's your job to make baby's world a safe place for her to learn and grow. Baby-proofing helps protect your baby from dangerous things in your home—and helps protect your precious objects from damage.

Start by getting on your hands and knees and looking around your home from a baby's eye view.

Watch out for small or sharp things. Anything baby can reach will go into her mouth. Keep floors and tables clear of coins, popcorn, cigarettes, dust balls, paper clips, staples and anything smaller than 1½ inches around that you wouldn't want her to eat. Inspect toys often. Safe toys can become dangerous when broken. If knobs on your television or stereo are small and come off, electronic stores sell larger ones. Keep knives, scissors and razor blades out of baby's reach. Throw out broken glass and other sharp objects right away—don't leave them in open wastebaskets.

Keep window blind cords out of baby's reach, and do not put your baby's crib near window blinds or drapery cords—they can accidentally strangle your baby.

Watch out for electrical things. Cover unused electrical outlets with plastic plugs you can buy at the hardware store. Keep lamp cords out of the way behind furniture. Move fans up high. In the kitchen, don't leave cords dangling. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

Watch out for poisons. If you can, move cleaning supplies to a high place. Put child-proof locks on cupboards with dangerous chemicals. Children drink things just to try them, even if they taste bad. Remember that some house plants are poisonous. If you have a party, pour leftover drinks down the sink. It takes very little alcohol to poison a child. Cigarettes can also poison children who eat them.

Medicine cabinets should lock. Don't take medicine in front of your child. Never tell baby medicine is "candy." In large amounts, even aspirin, Tylenol® or vitamins can kill. Keep the phone number for Poison Control near your phone.

Watch out for plastic bags. The plastic bags covering dry-cleaned clothes are very dangerous. Baby can get a bag over her mouth and nose and suffocate. Balloons, except the shiny Mylar® kind, can choke baby. Throw broken balloons out immediately.

Watch out for stairs. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of open stairways, and be sure to keep them fastened at all times when baby is around.

Watch out for valuables. Put them away for a while or move them to high shelves. It's easier to change your home than to change your baby, and it saves you from saying "No, don't touch that" so often.

Keep toilet lids closed and avoid leaving buckets of water unattended while cleaning or washing the car. Once your baby can stand, she can reach further and higher. She can reach things that were out of reach before. Look at each room in your home again, and watch for new hazards:

- When baby uses furniture to pull himself up, he can pull things over. Remove wobbly tables and lamps that could tip over. Fasten bookcases and dressers to the wall if they are not sturdy.

- Set your crib mattress to the lowest level. Remove bumper pads and large stuffed toys that baby could step on to climb out.

- Be especially alert for dangling electric cords, tablecloths or curtains that baby could pull down or get tangled in.

- Keep medicines, cleaners, pesticides, alcohol and other poisons locked out of baby's reach. This includes vitamins and iron supplements.

- Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees F in case baby turns on the faucet while in the tub. This saves money, too. Never leave your baby alone in or near water, even for a minute.

- Don't let baby stand up in her high chair.

- Watch out for things that can pinch fingers, such as door hinges or folding chairs.

Baby-proofing your home is the best thing you can do to keep your baby safe.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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